Convertible step-ladder



(HoV Model.)

V1a. v. PHILLIPS. 2 CONVERTIBLE ASTIB? LADDER.

120.267,92?. Patented'. Nov.- 21, 1.8852.

E M 5 fw @E 2@ N UNIT-ED N STATES PATENT FFICE.

FRANCIS'V. PHILLIPS, OF CHICAGO, ILL., ASSIGNOR T() MELVILLE E. DAY- TON, OF SAME PLACE, AND GEORGE DAYTON, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA.

, CONVERTIBLE STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,927, dated l1\Tovernbler 21, 1882. Application led November 30, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS V. PHILLIPS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain newr and useful I in provementsin Convertible Step-Ladders; and I do hereby 'declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, Which forin a part of this specification.

4This invention relates to a step-ladder constructed to be converted into a bench; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device when extended to forrn a 4 step-ladder, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view` of the same folded to form a bench.

The same letter indicates the same part in both figures.

A A are parallel standards, to which are secured the steps A' A', in the usual manner.

B B are braces, pivoted to the standards A at the top through the medium of the brack` ets b b, and arranged in the same planes with said standards. Said braces B are connected by cross-rails B' B'.

C C are side bars, pivoted. at one endexten nally to the braces B B at c c, and extending outside and beyond the standards A, Where their opposite ends are connected bylthe cross rod c'. When the parts are extended to form a step'ladder, as' shown in Fig. l, the connected bars C are raised until the crossfrod o engages the projecting edge of the step A', in which position said bars C operate as a stop to prevent the feet of the standards and braces A and B from further spreading `under the weight of a person. Notches cutin the edges of thestandards may serve the same purpose as the projecting edge of the step A'.

To adapt the step-ladderthus constructed to serve as a bench, legs D D, pivotedat d to the inner faces of the braces B, and pins a a, projecting from the outer. faces of the standards A, are provided. Said pins a arrest the bars C in the inclined position shown in Fig. 2, Whereinthey form legs at one end of the bench. The pivoted legs D, connected by the 5o bar cl' and notched at d2, are made to rest upon `port of a wash-tub, or for other uses.

the back 'edge of a step, A', to support the free ends of the braces B, and with the stepstandards A form legs at the other end of the bench.

der constitutes a convenient bench for the sup- As a Whole, therefore, the convertible step-ladder described serves particularly Well as a convenient household article Where both a bench and 6o v.

ladder are frequently required.

When not in use the standards and legs are folded together, as in other step-ladders, the legs D and bars C hanging down entirely out of the way.

To add to the usefulness of the article, both as a ladder for house-cleaning and as a Washbench, the pivoted shelf E is applied, having the cleats e?, pivoted to the inner face of the brackets b, or on the rod c3, which forms the 7o pivot ofthe braces B. The shelf E is upheld in the position shown in Fig. l by braces c, pivoted to the cleats @Zat e', and notched at their lower ends to rest on the upper cross-rail, B'. When the ladder is transformed into a bench the shelf lies in the position shown in Fig. 2, the ends thereof resting on the braces B.

Instead of the wooden brackets b, metal brackets may be used,furnishing connection,

pivotalandotherwise,tothevariouspartsjoined 8o at the top ofthe ladder.

'Ihe'bars C may have short pins or projections in place of the connecting-rod c', for the purpose ofl engaging the standards A, and the rod c' may be applied to connect the bars C at 8 5 the rear of the standards, or between said standards and the braces B; or, if preferred, a separate tie-as a strap-may be used to limit the spread of the standards and braces, and the bars C used merely as legs for the bench.

I have shown a series of holes, c2, in the bars C, and one or more holes, a', in the standards A, by which, With the aid of a pin, the spread of the ladder may be varied at pleasure.

As a mere tie to hold thebraces and standards from spreading, the bars C, pivoted to the braces, and arranged to engage the standards,

as shown, may be employed on step-ladders not convertible, and for this purpose they may `be pivoted to the standards and embrace or roo Folded in the form shown in Fig. 21 the lad- 55 Y engage the braces; or, in a convertibleladder for the purpose herein stated, said bars may be connected as last above described, and the legs D, also pivoted to the standards, being arranged to rest against the braces ora bar connecting them. In this case the standards and the steps will form the bench-top.

Of course, it desired,a board may be applied to the braces to give in the bench a continuous surface.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a step-ladder, the combination, With the step-standards A and pivoted braces B, of the pivoted bars C, stops a, and pivoted legs D, arran ged and operating substantially as described, whereby the ladder is convertible into a bench, as set forth.

2. The convertible step-ladder and' bench described, consisting of the step-standards A,

having projecting steps A', the braces B, piv.

oted at the top of the standards, the bars G, pivoted to the braces, and provided with the connecting-rod c', arranged outside the standards, and the legs D, pivoted to the braces and notched at their lower ends to engage the rear edge of a step, A', substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS V. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

M. E. DAYTON, W. C. ADAMS. 

